Surplus interconnection would give consumers more energy without needing to build completely new infrastructure.
Opportunity
Energy demand is growing rapidly. We need to ensure energy supply does too.
Meet Surging Demand Faster: Surplus interconnection delivers more power to consumers by letting new energy projects “piggyback” on existing lines—eliminating years of interconnection queue delays and the high costs of building new grid infrastructure.
- Unlock Idle Grid Capacity: Power lines often sit empty when traditional plants (like gas) are offline. This policy allows complementary resources (like solar) to step in and fill those lines the moment they become available.
Benefits of Surplus Interconnection
By cutting regulatory red tape and maximizing infrastructure we already have, surplus interconnection is a win-win for the grid. It solves the challenge of rising electricity demand while controlling costs for families and businesses—maximizing the infrastructure we have and bringing new power online faster.
- Lower Energy Costs: Flooding the grid with affordable power shields consumers and businesses from price spikes driven by energy scarcity.
- Boost the Local Economy: Communities win twice, gaining new construction and operational jobs as secondary generation projects come online at existing facilities.
- Fueling Growth: An abundant, reliable power supply provides the critical foundation needed to expand manufacturing, support tech innovation, and drive broader economic investment.
Policy Solutions
In Indiana, Senator Koch introduced SB 240,1 which requires utility providers to investigate the feasibility of utilizing unused and unneeded existing interconnection capacity. The bill passed the Indiana House and Senate unanimously and was signed into law in April 2026. It is designed to understand the potential for surplus interconnection service in future integrated resource plans.